Improvement in dash-boards for vehicles



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PATEN'mn AUG 1 1871 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

HENRY I. GODWIN, OF WINDSOR, NORTH CAROLINA.

IMPROVEMENT IN DASH-BOARDS FOR VEHICLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 117,619, dated August1, 1871.

one within the other, and havin g the dash-sheet secured between them,as hereinafter described.

Figure l is a face view of my improved dash. Fig. 2 is a verticalcross-section of the same. Fig, 3 is a bottom view of a modiied form ofthe rame.

In constructing' my improved dash I flrst provide a metal frame, A, in asingle piece, of the size and form of the required dash, and having feeta for securing it to the carriage. One side ofthe frame I recess forabout one-half its thickness, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to leavea raisedportion or iiange, c, on one side around the outer edge of the frame. Inext provide a frame, B, to iit within the recessed portion ofthe frameA, as shown in Fig. 1. I then cut the dash-sheet out of leather, metal,or other suitable material and t it within the recessed side of frame A,as shown in Fig. 2, and then iit the frame B in place against it, asshown in Fig. l, and fasten the frame in place by passing the screws 'L'through it and the sheet into the frame A. In this manner the dash-sheetis fastened securely in place, its outer edges being clamped iirmlybetween the two frames, and also held by the screws, while the raw edgeis covered and protected by the iiange of frame A, as shown. The framesmay be made of malleable iron, brass, or other material, and may bedecorated by silvering, painting, or otherwise, and the sheet C may bemade of leather, sheet metal, canvas, wood-veneer, or

other suitable material, which may be ornamented in any suitable manner.In'ease the sheet becomes torn or injured the frame B may be detachedthesheet removed, a-nd a new one inserted in its place, and this withoutremoving the dash-frame from the carriage. The inner and outer framesare both provided with the usual upright cross-bar at the middle, sothat the sheet may be made in two` pieces by bringing their edgestogether under the cross-bars, so as to be concealed from sight. 'll-hisarrangement also obviates the necessity of replacing a. broken dash byan entire new one, as, when only one end of the sheet is injured, it maybe removed and a new piece substituted, the old portion in the other endbeing allowed to remain.

A dash-board constructed on my plan is cheaper, stronger, lighter, andmore ornamental in appearance than those heretofore in use and whenbroken it can be readily repaired by :any person of ordinaryintelligence.

Another manner of constructing the frame is illustrated in Fig. 3, wherethe frame is shown as made in a single piece, with its bottom barslotted the whole length, and its outside bars grooved on their inneredges, so that the sheet or body can be shoved into place through thebottom bar. Them however, the frame is constructed in this mannerritmust be removed from the carriage before the sheet can be inserted orremoved.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- A dash-frame forcarriages, consisting of the frame A, and the frame B made to iittherein, whereby the body C is held in place and has its edge covered,substantially as described.

HENRY I. GODVVIN.

' Witnesses:

PHILIP T. DODGE,

HARRY KING.

